Nathan Hemi - Exhibition Reflective Shadows

Reflective Shadows explores the nature of introspection. The title is inspired by the term “shadow self” which is a term used in psychology by the renowned psychologist Carl Jung. It is the hidden aspects of ones personality that doesn't fit with the ideal projected image of oneself, i.e a person can unconsciously hide parts of themselves they view as weak, embarrassing or socially unacceptable.

The paintings present an abundance of distressed characters and symbolic references which seem to repeat themselves throughout the series in different scenarios, connecting them all in an obscure way, like scenes from a dream. Reflective surfaces, 3D textures and vibrant colours are met with empty voids of flat black.

An important aspect of the work is the process itself, relying heavily on intuition, the process seeks to access unconscious thoughts and bring them to light. The works are intended to be ambiguous and open for interpretation. "Everyone carries a shadow", Jung wrote, "and the less it is embodied in the individual's conscious life, the blacker and denser it is."
Nathan Hemi (born in 1991, Auckland, New Zealand) currently lives and works in Tauranga, New Zealand.

Hemi has been a practicing self-taught artist since 2019. Hemi’s paintings seeks to address the nature of mental suffering and its relevant issues in modern society.
Hemi uses the symbol as a way to explore and communicate concepts rooted in the search for a deeper understanding of the human mind. Often depicting scenes of distress. In contrast Hemi uses intense, vibrant colours.

In the artists words: “Im really interested in making work that challenges me to look within. Technically im guided by my intuition mostly and most of my ideas end up going through a process of change as i try to paint them, often it changes in a way that surprises me. Even though the work can sometimes give off a dark or depressing vibe, im hopeful that it can help some people in some way”
Opening preview Friday 14th October, 5:30-7:30pm in the Incubator lounge. Everyone welcome.